Portable douche and sitz bath

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for directing streams of liquid both internally and externally at the anus and vaginal openings for douching and sitz bath cleansing, and adapted to safely apply liquid under pressure without an enema effect, the depth of liquid penetration being restricted and the exposed hip area limited to the action of liquid jets, and all of which is operable by the hand of the person applying the same for hygenic treatment.

' United States Patent 1191 Ballard 1451 Nov. 4, 1975 PORTABLE DOUCI-IEAND SITZ BATH [76] Inventor: Alexander K. S. Ballard, P.O. Box

24772, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024 22 Filed: Aug. 5, 1974 21 Appl. No.:494,489

[52] US. Cl. 128/239; 128/242; 128/251 [51] Int. Cl. A61M 3/00 [58]Field of Search 128/239, 241, 243, 229, 128/240, 242, 251, 245

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 388,510 8/1888 Terrell128/241 550,238 11/1895 Allen, Jr. 128/241 X 698,447 4/1902 Bush 128/2431,863,057 6/1932 Innes 128/243 x 1,870,942 8/1932 Beatty 128/2412,139,653 12/1938 Belfrage 128/241 2,386,001 10/1945 Parrigin 128/2412,586,553 2/1952 Moscarello 128/243 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS633,896 2/1962 Italy 128/243 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Gaudet AssistantExaminer-.1. Yasko [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for directing streams ofliquid both internally and externally at the anus and vaginal openingsfor douching and sitz bath cleansing, and adapted to safely apply liquidunder pressure without an enema effect, the depth of liquid penetrationbeing restricted and the exposed hip area limited to the action ofliquid jets, and all of which is operable by the hand of the personapplying the same for hygenic treatment.

20 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures U.S. Patnt Nov.4 ,1975 shsetzof'z 3,916,896

PORTABLE DOUCHE AND SITZ BATH BACKGROUND Hygenic cleansing devices havebeen available in the form of bidets used for taking sitz baths, whichinvolve special vessels with water jets by which only the hip area isimmersed, usually as a medical treatment. Devices for douching are alsoavailable for applying a jet or stream of liquid applied externally orinternally to some part of the body, normally applied through the vaginafor cleansing the birth' canal and vulva, again as a medical or hygenictreatment. Also, devices for administering an enema are available forapplying displacement liquid internally through the anus for dislodgingfeces from the rectum, which is the lowermost straight segment of thecolon or lower intestin. In each aforementioned instance there has beeninadequate control over the depth of penetration; in that the usualbidet and/or sitz bath directs liquid jets which are uncontrollable asto depth of penetration; in that the usual douche does not restrictdepth of liquid penetration and so does not prevent the enema effect incase of anal application; and, in that the displacement effect of anenema is lacking in depth control: it being an object of this inventionto provide means restricting the depth of liquid penetration forcleansing the vaginal and/or anal openings with liquid under pressure.

The various apparatus attachments for douching and for enemas, haveprovided head formations that project radial and reverse fountains ofwater at and surrounding the tip of the instrument that is inserted intothe body opening. However, such instruments have provided no means torestrict further penetration of liquid applied under pressure, and withthe result that an enema effect is simultaneously administered. Further,the excessive internal application of liquid under pressure can bedangerous and harmful; and it is to these ends that I have provided aseal at the head of such an instrument, whereby liquid penetration isrestricted and flow is rearward from the said head. With the presentinvention, liquid jets are disposed to project liquid outwardly andrearwardly so as to have a downward flushing action backed by the head.

The apparatus of the present invention is portable and isself-sufficient with respect to liquid flow control, and it is thereforean object of this invention to provide coordinated control means bywhich the aforementioned seal is made effective and the liquid permittedto flow. With the present invention, the head of the instrument isexpansible, and a liquid control valve operable, and an operating stemis provided which simultaneously expands the head while opening the saidvalve. Manual control means is provided to coordinate the head expansionand valve opening, there being return means therefor.

The apparatus hereinafter disclosed serves dual purposes, in that it isboth a douche and a sitz bath, and the latter function being added tofunctioning of the former. To these ends it is an object to provide aselectively operable forwardly or upwardly disposed sitz .bath incombination with a douche, by providing a nozzel means ahead of a handleportion and rearward of the aforementioned douching head. With thisinvention, the sitz bath nozzel means is selectively positionable forits control and incorporates a shield and stop that restricts thepenetration of the instrument.

It is a general object of this invention to incorporate the foregoingobjectives into a most simple and effective instrument or apparatusinvolving the fewest number of most economically made parts. With thepresent invention there is a primary and a secondary control means forthe application ofliquid, firstly to the douche function and s econdlyto the sitz bath function of the apparatus, and all of which ismanipulated by the single hand of the person applying the device.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates to a hygenic instrument tobe used by a person in self application of medical treatment or thelike. The purpose of use is hygenic with respect to the alimentary canaland birth canal, for interior as well as exterior cleanliness. Withoutresort to a bidet in its usual embodiment as a vessel, the apparatusthat I provide is a manipulatable instrument that involves generally anelongated body B with a shiftable stem A which coordinates operation ofvalve means V and expansion of a head H that seals with the walls of thecanal in which the instrument is inserted. With respect to the douchefunction of this instrument, there is a douche nozzle DN at the junctureof the body B and head H; and with respect to the sitz bath function ofthis instrument there is a sitz bath nozzle ZN spaced rearward of thehead H. The nozzle ZN is selectively controlled between on and offconditions by movement of a stop shield S in which it is incorporated toprotect the hand of the user from excess liquid.

DRAWINGS The various objects and features of this invention will befully understood from the following detailed description of the typicalpreferred form and application thereof, throughout which descriptionreference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the douche and sitz bathinstrument conditioned preparatory to insertion into the canalsillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4,

FIG. 2 is an operational view showing the instrument of FIG. 1 insertedinto the vaginal opening for the purpose of douching,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the head of theinstrument expanded as in FIGS. 2 and 4,

FIG. 4 is a operational view showing the instrument of FIG. I insertedinto the anal opening for the purpose of sitz bath douching.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the several uses ofthe invention are shown, FIG. 2 as a vaginal douch with the sitz bathvalve closed, and FIG. 4 as a rectal douche with the sitz bath valveopened. The body B is an elongated cylinder that carries the expansiblehead H at its terminal end, and over which the stop shield S isselectively positionable. The stem A is a tubular member that shiftswithin the body B to dilate the head and control the liquid transportedtherethrough from means V to the nozzles DN and ZN. The valve means Vincorporates a handle for its convenient operation and the stop shieldis formed for its selective manipulation to be opened and closed.

The elongated cylindrical body B is proportioned substantially as shownand of 'a diameter to readily enter the anal or vaginal openings. A boreextends through the body to slideably receive the stem A that ispositioned by valve means control later described. The rear or lowerportion of the body B is reserved as a grip 11, and forward or abovesaid grip portion there is a stop shoulder 12 with a forwardly extendingcylindrical bearing 13 to slideably receive the stop shield S and itsnozzle ZN. The forward movement of stop shield S is limited by sleeve 14threadedly engaged onto the body so as to extend forwardly therefromwith means incorporated therein to dilate the head H, with features toaccomodate return means R biasing the stem to a forwardly projectedposition, and also incorporating the douche nozzle DN. As shown, thebody B is ported at 15 to transfer liquid from the tubular stem to thesitz bath nozzle ZN, and has a receiver 16 at its lowermost or rear endto receive a liquid supply hose 17 and upon which the valve V handle 18is pivoted.

The tubular stem A extends coextensively through the body B and projectsfrom the bore 10 at both the front and rear of the body for operation ofthe head H to dilate the same and to be operated by the handle 18. Thestem A has a right cylinder exterior that-closely fits the bore 10 toslide freely therein, there being an elongated port 19 that remains incommunication with aforementioned ports at 15 throughout movement of thestem A relative to the body B. A snap ring 20 is seated into theperiphery of the stem, spaced forwardly from the front 21 of body B,when the said stem is forwardly projected, there being a compressionspring 23 disposed between the ring 20 and face 21 comprising returnmeans R that yielding urges the stem A to the forwardly projectedposition as shown in FIG. 1. Snap ring 20 limits the forward projectionof stem A.

The expansible head H is dilated by movement of stem A by which it iscarried relative to the front configuration of sleeve 14. The head perse is made of soft plastic or an elastomer, and preferably it is made ofrubber or a substitute therefor which is elastic, supple and pliable.The head is of tapered bullet shape, being rearwardly divergent from arounded nose 25 and flaring rearwardly to an outwardly and rearwardlydivergent rim 26. The wall of the rearwardly divergent rim tapers to itsperiphery which is circumferentially continuous for sealing engagementwith the canal wall into which it is dilated. In accordance with thisinvention, the front face 27 of sleeve 14 is complementary to the innerdivergent face of rim 26 when the stern A is forwardly projected andsaid rim relaxed (see FIG. 1). Forward of the said inner divergent faceof the rim, there is a cylindrical counterbore 28 that normally receivesthe projected foremost cylindrical portion of the stem A, as shown inFIG. 1. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the expansible head H is dilated byretraction of the stem A, the face 27 being divergently inclined so asto receive and expand the counterbore 28 to stretch it radially outward,thereby dilating the rim 26. As shown, a screw retainer forms the nose25 and secures the head H to the terminal closed end of the stem A todraw the head rearwardly for said dilation when the stem is retracted.

The douche nozzle DN is incorporated in the sleeve 16 at the front face26, and comprises a circumferential series of channels 30 cut into saidface. As above described, the front face 27 of sleeve 14 is rearwardlyand outwardly divergent, and the channels 30 cut therein are thencorrespondingly divergent so as to jet liquid rearwardly from the rim ofhead H, whether the head is relaxed or dilated (compare FIGS. 1 and 3).As shown, the ports 19 are elongated to remain in communication with thechannels 30 at all times.

The valve means V is provided to open and close the liquid porting tothe nozzles DN and ZN, from the supply hose 17. The control handle 18overlies and is depressible toward one side of the grip portion 11 ofbody B, and it is mounted by a pivot pin 33 to the receiver 16 on atransverse axis displaced laterally of the stem A-axis. A drive pin 34is carried by the handle 18 at a radius from pin 33 and is disposedparallel therewith and engaged in a notch 35 at one side of stem A todriveably engage and rotatably orient the stem. It will be seen that thestem A is moved forwardly relative to the body B when the handle 18 isdepressed, the valve action being accomplished by relatively moveableports 36 and 37 in the body and stem respectively, the port 37 openinginto the stem which is closed by a plug at 38.

The stop shield S and sitz bath nozzle ZN are slideably captured on thecylindrical bearing 13 of the body to be manipulated between two extremepositions as determined by the shoulder 12 and sleeve 14. The stopshield S is a disc that surrounds the body B, having a finger engagementportion 39 accessible from the handle l8, and having a forwardly dishedradial flange 40. The stop shield has a bore 41 slideable upon thebearing 13 and a counterbore 42 to receive a nozzle ring 43 which hasforwardly disposed jets 44 directed at the area surrounding the rim 26of head H. The nozzle ring 43 provides an annulus 45 in conjunction withthe shield S, said annulus being movable into and out of communicationwith port 15 through manipulation of the stop shield (compare FIGS. 2and 4).

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a practicaldouche-sitz bath instrument that is safely applicable to the person toself-administer liquid under pressure without danger of the enemaeffect. The depth of penetration is inherently restricted, and openingof the valve means V is simultaneously accompanied by dilation of thehead H into sealed engagement with the canal walls which are thereuponcleansed by the fountain action of the rearwardly disposed jets DN, andaccompanied by the sitz bath function of jets ZN when exterior cleansingis required.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself anymodifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art:

I claim:

1. An instrument for limited penetration into the anal and vaginalcanals and supplied with liquid under pressure for douching, andincluding; an elongated body with a radially expansible head at itsforemost end, the head having a peripheral rim, a stop projectingradially from the body and spaced rearward of the head for restrictingpenetration of the body into said canals, dilating means to expand thehead and rim radially into occupancy ofa canal to close the same, andnozzle means comprised of jets immediately rearward of the head andsupplied with liquid through valve means for cleansing discharge fromthe canal surrounding the body.

2. The douche instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein the expansiblehead and rim thereof is made of elastomeric material adapted to bestretched by the dilating means.

3. The douche instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dilatingmeans is comprised of a sleeve slideable over and surrounding a stemcarrying the head, the sleeve and head having complementary outwardlyand rearwardly divergent faces engageable to expand the head.

4. The douche instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein the expansiblehead and rim thereofis made of elastomeric material adapted to bestretched, and wherein the dilating means is comprised of a sleeveslideable over and surrounding a stem carrying the head, the sleeve andhead having complementary outwardly and rearwardly divergent facesengageable to expand the head.

5. The douche instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dilatingmeans and the valve means are operably connected for simultaneousmanipulation.

6. The douche instrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein the expansiblehead is made of elastomeric material adapted to be stretched, andwherein the dilating means is comprised of a sleeve slideable over andsurrounding a manipulatable stem slideable within the body and carryingthe head, the sleeve and head having complementary outwardly andrearwardly divergent faces engageable to expand the head.

7. An instrument for restricted penetration into the anal and vaginalcanals and supplied with liquid under pressure for douching and sitzbath cleansing, and including; an elongated body with a radiallyexpansible head at its foremost end, the head having a peripheral rim, astop shield and nozzle ring projecting radially from the body and spacedrearward of the head for restricting penetration of the body into saidcanals and having liquid jets surrounding the body and disposed inalignment with an area surrounding the head, dilating means to expandthe head and rim radially into occupancy of a canal to close the same,and nozzle means comprised of jets immediately rearward of the head, thebody being supplied with liquid through valve means for simultaneousdischarge from the two said nozzle jets.

8. The douche and sitz bath instrument as set forth in claim 7 whereinthe stop shield is selectively shiftable on the body to open and closeliquid ports to the jets thereof.

9. The douche and sitz bath instrument as set forth in claim 7 whereinthe expansible head and rim thereof is made of elastomeric materialadapted to be stretched by the dilating means.

10. The douche and sitz bath instrument as set forth in claim 7 whereinthe dilating means is comprised of a sleeve slideable over andsurrounding a stem carrying the head, the sleeve and head havingcomplementary outwardly and rearwardly divergent faces engageable toexpand the head.

11. The douche and sitz bath instrument as set forth in claim 7, whereinthe expansible head and rim thereof is made of elastomeric materialadapted to be stretched, and wherein the dilating means is comprised ofa sleeve slideable over and surrounding a stem carrying the head, thesleeve and head having complementary outwardly and rearwardly divergentfaces engageable to expand the head.

12. The douche and sitz bath instrument as set forth in claim 7 whereinthe dilating means and the valve means are operably connected forsimultaneous manipulation.

13. The douche and sitz bath instrument as set forth in claim 7, whereinthe expansible head and rim thereof is made of elastomeric materialadapted to be stretched, and wherein the dilating means is comprised ofa sleeve slideable over and surrounding a manipulatable stem slideablewithin the body and carrying the head, the sleeve and head havingcomplementary outwardly and rearwardly divergent faces engageable toexpand the head.

14. An instrument for directing streams of liquid both internally andexternally at the anal and vaginal openings for douche and sitz bathcleansing, and including; an elongated cylindrical body with a boretherethrough, a tubular stern slideably carried in the body, a radiallyexpansible head carried by the stem at the forward end of the body, saidstem being retractably shiftable by means operating the stem at therearward end of the body, the head having a peripheral rim, a stopshield and nozzle ring projecting radially from the body and spacedrearward of the head for restricting penetration of the body into saidcanals and having liquid jets surrounding the body and disposed inalignment with an area surrounding the head, dilating means to expandthe head and rim radially into occupancy of a canal to close the same,and nozzle means comprised of jets immediately rearward of the head, thebody being supplied with liquid through valve means for simultaneousdischarge from the two said nozzle jets.

15. The instrument for directing streams of liquid both internallyandexternally at the anal and vaginal openings as set forth in claim 14 andwherein the expansible head and rim thereof is made of elastomericmaterial adapted to be stretched by the dilating means.

16. The instrument for directing streams of liquid both internally andexternally at the anal and vaginal openings as set forth in claim 14 andwherein the dilating means and rim thereof is comprised of a sleeveslideable over and surrounding the stem carrying the head, the sleeveand head having complementary outwardly and rearwardly divergent facesengageable to expand the head.

17. The instrument for directing streams of liquid both internally andexternally at the anal and vaginal openings as set forth in claim 14,wherein the expansible head and rim thereof is made of elastomericmaterial adapted to be stretched, and wherein the dilating means iscomprised of a sleeve slideable over and surrounding the stem carryingthe head, the sleeve and head having complementary outwardly andrearwardly divergent faces engageable to expand the head.

18. The instrument for directing streams of liquid both internally andexternally at the anal and vaginal openings as set forth in claim 14 andwherein the dilating means and the valve means are operably connected bythe stem for simultaneous manipulation.

19. The instrument for directing streams of liquid both internally andexternally at the anal and vaginal openings as set forth in claim 14,wherein the expansible head and rim thereof is made of elastomericmaterial adpated to be stretched, and wherein the dilating means iscomprised of a sleeve slideable over and surrounding the manipulatablestem slideable within the body and carrying the head, the sleeve andhead having complementary outwardly and rearwardly divergent facesengageable to expand the head.

20. The instrument for directing streams of liquid both internally andexternally at the anal and vaginal openings as set forth in claim 14 andwherein the stop shield is selectively shiftable on the body to open andclose liquid ports to the jets thereof.

1. An instrument for limited penetration into the anal and vaginalcanals and supplied with liquid under pressure for douching, andincluding; an elongated body with a radially expansible head at itsforemost end, the head having a peripheral rim, a stop projectingradially from the body and spaced rearward of the head for restrictingpenetration of the body into said canals, dilating means to expand thehead and rim radially into occupancy of a canal to close the same, andnozzle means comprised of jets immediately rearward of the head andsupplied with liquid through valve means for cleansing discharge fromthe canal surrounding the body.
 2. The douche instrument as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the expansible head and rim thereof is made ofelastomeric material adapted to be stretched by the dilating means. 3.The douche instrument as set forth in claim 1 wherein the dilating meansis comprised of a sleeve slideable over and surrounding a stem carryingthe head, the sleeve and head having complementary outwardly andrearwardly divergent faces engageable to expand the head.
 4. The doucheinstrument as set forth in claim 1, wherein the expansible head and rimthereof is made of elastomeric material adapted to be stretched, andwherein the dilating means is comprised of a sleeve slideable over andsurrounding a stem carrying the head, the sleeve and head havingcomplementary outwardly and rearwardly divergent faces engageable toexpand the head.
 5. The douche instrument as set forth in claim 1wherein the dilating means and the valve means are operably connectedfor simultaneous manipulation.
 6. The douche instrument as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the expansible head is made of elastomeric materialadapted to be stretched, and wherein the dilating means is comprised ofa sleeve slideable over and surrounding a manipulatable stem slideablewithin the body and carrying the head, the sleeve and head havingcomplementary outwardly and rearwardly divergenT faces engageable toexpand the head.
 7. An instrument for restricted penetration into theanal and vaginal canals and supplied with liquid under pressure fordouching and sitz bath cleansing, and including; an elongated body witha radially expansible head at its foremost end, the head having aperipheral rim, a stop shield and nozzle ring projecting radially fromthe body and spaced rearward of the head for restricting penetration ofthe body into said canals and having liquid jets surrounding the bodyand disposed in alignment with an area surrounding the head, dilatingmeans to expand the head and rim radially into occupancy of a canal toclose the same, and nozzle means comprised of jets immediately rearwardof the head, the body being supplied with liquid through valve means forsimultaneous discharge from the two said nozzle jets.
 8. The douche andsitz bath instrument as set forth in claim 7 wherein the stop shield isselectively shiftable on the body to open and close liquid ports to thejets thereof.
 9. The douche and sitz bath instrument as set forth inclaim 7 wherein the expansible head and rim thereof is made ofelastomeric material adapted to be stretched by the dilating means. 10.The douche and sitz bath instrument as set forth in claim 7 wherein thedilating means is comprised of a sleeve slideable over and surrounding astem carrying the head, the sleeve and head having complementaryoutwardly and rearwardly divergent faces engageable to expand the head.11. The douche and sitz bath instrument as set forth in claim 7, whereinthe expansible head and rim thereof is made of elastomeric materialadapted to be stretched, and wherein the dilating means is comprised ofa sleeve slideable over and surrounding a stem carrying the head, thesleeve and head having complementary outwardly and rearwardly divergentfaces engageable to expand the head.
 12. The douche and sitz bathinstrument as set forth in claim 7 wherein the dilating means and thevalve means are operably connected for simultaneous manipulation. 13.The douche and sitz bath instrument as set forth in claim 7, wherein theexpansible head and rim thereof is made of elastomeric material adaptedto be stretched, and wherein the dilating means is comprised of a sleeveslideable over and surrounding a manipulatable stem slideable within thebody and carrying the head, the sleeve and head having complementaryoutwardly and rearwardly divergent faces engageable to expand the head.14. An instrument for directing streams of liquid both internally andexternally at the anal and vaginal openings for douche and sitz bathcleansing, and including; an elongated cylindrical body with a boretherethrough, a tubular stem slideably carried in the body, a radiallyexpansible head carried by the stem at the forward end of the body, saidstem being retractably shiftable by means operating the stem at therearward end of the body, the head having a peripheral rim, a stopshield and nozzle ring projecting radially from the body and spacedrearward of the head for restricting penetration of the body into saidcanals and having liquid jets surrounding the body and disposed inalignment with an area surrounding the head, dilating means to expandthe head and rim radially into occupancy of a canal to close the same,and nozzle means comprised of jets immediately rearward of the head, thebody being supplied with liquid through valve means for simultaneousdischarge from the two said nozzle jets.
 15. The instrument fordirecting streams of liquid both internally and externally at the analand vaginal openings as set forth in claim 14 and wherein the expansiblehead and rim thereof is made of elastomeric material adapted to bestretched by the dilating means.
 16. The instrument for directingstreams of liquid both internally and externally at the anal and vaginalopenings as set forth in claim 14 and wherein the dilating means and rimthereof is comprised of a sleeve slideable over and surrounding the stemcarrying the head, the sleeve and head having complementary outwardlyand rearwardly divergent faces engageable to expand the head.
 17. Theinstrument for directing streams of liquid both internally andexternally at the anal and vaginal openings as set forth in claim 14,wherein the expansible head and rim thereof is made of elastomericmaterial adapted to be stretched, and wherein the dilating means iscomprised of a sleeve slideable over and surrounding the stem carryingthe head, the sleeve and head having complementary outwardly andrearwardly divergent faces engageable to expand the head.
 18. Theinstrument for directing streams of liquid both internally andexternally at the anal and vaginal openings as set forth in claim 14 andwherein the dilating means and the valve means are operably connected bythe stem for simultaneous manipulation.
 19. The instrument for directingstreams of liquid both internally and externally at the anal and vaginalopenings as set forth in claim 14, wherein the expansible head and rimthereof is made of elastomeric material adpated to be stretched, andwherein the dilating means is comprised of a sleeve slideable over andsurrounding the manipulatable stem slideable within the body andcarrying the head, the sleeve and head having complementary outwardlyand rearwardly divergent faces engageable to expand the head.
 20. Theinstrument for directing streams of liquid both internally andexternally at the anal and vaginal openings as set forth in claim 14 andwherein the stop shield is selectively shiftable on the body to open andclose liquid ports to the jets thereof.